Black Rock

Island in Northumberland

England

Black Rock

Inner Farne, West Wideopen and East Wideopen, The Farne Islands A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve.
Wikipedia: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Inner Farne, West Wideopen and East Wideopen, The Farne Islands Credit: habiloid

Black Rock is a small island located off the coast of Northumberland, England. It is situated about 1.5 kilometers from the mainland, near the village of Embleton. The island is approximately 500 meters long and 250 meters wide, covering an area of about 5 hectares.

Black Rock is predominantly composed of sandstone and is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The surrounding waters are also rich in marine life, making it an ideal spot for fishing and birdwatching enthusiasts.

Access to Black Rock is limited due to its status as a National Nature Reserve, managed by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Visitors can only land on the island during low tide when a causeway temporarily appears, allowing a short window of time for exploration. It is important to note that care must be taken when crossing the causeway, as the tides can be unpredictable and quickly cut off access to the mainland.

The island is steeped in history, with evidence of human occupation dating back thousands of years. It was once used as a strategic defensive position during times of conflict, with remnants of a gun battery still visible today. Furthermore, Black Rock is also known for its association with smuggling in the 18th century, as the secluded nature of the island made it an ideal location for illicit activities.

Overall, Black Rock offers a unique and picturesque natural setting, combining stunning coastal landscapes with a rich historical and ecological heritage.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Black Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.615591/-1.6530614 or Grid Reference NU2135. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Inner Farne, West Wideopen and East Wideopen, The Farne Islands A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve.
Wikipedia: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Inner Farne, West Wideopen and East Wideopen, The Farne Islands
A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve. Wikipedia: LinkExternal link
Inner Farne, West Wideopen and East Wideopen, The Farne Islands A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve.
Wikipedia: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Inner Farne, West Wideopen and East Wideopen, The Farne Islands
A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve. Wikipedia: LinkExternal link
Big Scarcar, The Farne Islands A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve.
Wikipedia: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Big Scarcar, The Farne Islands
A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve. Wikipedia: LinkExternal link
Inner Farne, The Farne Islands The ruins of a chapel are in the distance.
Inner Farne, The Farne Islands
The ruins of a chapel are in the distance.
Inner Farne Lighthouse, The Farne Islands A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve.
Wikipedia: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farne_Islands">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Inner Farne Lighthouse, The Farne Islands
A group of 15 - 20 islands (depending on the tides) offshore of Seahouses, Northumberland. They are the most easterly outcrops of the Whin Sill (a dolerite intrusion across north east England). The islands are divided into the inner and outer islands. The Islands are an important breeding ground for many seabirds having a large Puffin population. There is also an important seal colony here. The whole area is designated a National Nature Reserve. Wikipedia: LinkExternal link
Inner Farne Lighthouse, The Farne Islands
Inner Farne Lighthouse, The Farne Islands
Inner Farne The largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland.  The lighthouse was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne
The largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland. The lighthouse was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne and West Wideopen Looking towards Inner Farne, the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland, with part of West Wideopen (usually a separate island but connected at low tide) on the right.  The lighthouse on Inner Farne was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne and West Wideopen
Looking towards Inner Farne, the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland, with part of West Wideopen (usually a separate island but connected at low tide) on the right. The lighthouse on Inner Farne was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne and West Wideopen Looking across the low island of West Wideopen with Inner Farne beyond.  The two islands are usually separate but are connected at low tide.  Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland.  The lighthouse was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne and West Wideopen
Looking across the low island of West Wideopen with Inner Farne beyond. The two islands are usually separate but are connected at low tide. Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland. The lighthouse was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne and East Wideopen The rocky end of the island of East Wideopen with Inner Farne beyond.  Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland.  The lighthouse was built in 1810.

In the left background is Bamburgh Castle.
Inner Farne and East Wideopen
The rocky end of the island of East Wideopen with Inner Farne beyond. Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland. The lighthouse was built in 1810. In the left background is Bamburgh Castle.
The Bush The low rock reef of The Bush, usually underwater but visible at low tide, as here.  In the far distance is Dunstanburgh Castle, around 15 km away.

On the horizon in the centre of the photo is what would appear to be a buoy, which I believe to be North Sunderland Buoy, offshore from North Sunderland Point near Seahouses.
The Bush
The low rock reef of The Bush, usually underwater but visible at low tide, as here. In the far distance is Dunstanburgh Castle, around 15 km away. On the horizon in the centre of the photo is what would appear to be a buoy, which I believe to be North Sunderland Buoy, offshore from North Sunderland Point near Seahouses.
Knoxes Reef and Inner Farne Looking towards Knoxes Reef with Inner Farne beyond.  Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland.  The lighthouse was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Knoxes Reef and Inner Farne
Looking towards Knoxes Reef with Inner Farne beyond. Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland. The lighthouse was built in 1810 and Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier.
Inner Farne Looking towards Inner Farne with Solan Rock on Knoxes Reef with on the left.  Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland.  Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier, and the lighthouse (hidden by the tower, but with the associated keeper's house on seen here) was built in 1810.
Inner Farne
Looking towards Inner Farne with Solan Rock on Knoxes Reef with on the left. Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and, as its name implies, the nearest to the mainland. Prior Castell's Tower, on the right, is thought to date from around 1500 but may be earlier, and the lighthouse (hidden by the tower, but with the associated keeper's house on seen here) was built in 1810.
Inner Farne The south western cliffs of Inner Farne, with the lighthouse, built in 1810, in the background.
Inner Farne
The south western cliffs of Inner Farne, with the lighthouse, built in 1810, in the background.
Inner Farne Cliffs at the southern end of  Inner Farne topped by the lighthouse, built in 1810.
Inner Farne
Cliffs at the southern end of Inner Farne topped by the lighthouse, built in 1810.
Inner Farne Cliffs at the southern end of  Inner Farne topped by the lighthouse, built in 1810.
Inner Farne
Cliffs at the southern end of Inner Farne topped by the lighthouse, built in 1810.
St Cuthbert’s Chapel and Prior Castell’s Tower on Inner Farne This telephoto shot was taken during a boat trip from Seahouses. The snow-capped Cheviot Hills are in the background.
St Cuthbert’s Chapel and Prior Castell’s Tower on Inner Farne
This telephoto shot was taken during a boat trip from Seahouses. The snow-capped Cheviot Hills are in the background.
The Farne Islands Seen from the Northumberland coast
The Farne Islands
Seen from the Northumberland coast
Show me another place!

Black Rock is located at Grid Ref: NU2135 (Lat: 55.615591, Lng: -1.6530614)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///seaweed.ourselves.invested. Near Seahouses, Northumberland

Related Wikis

Farne Lighthouse

Farne Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the southern tip of Inner Farne (one of a group of islands off the coast of North Northumberland). Built in the early...

Farne Islands

The Farne Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland, England. The group has between 15 and 20 islands depending on the level of the...

Staple Island

Staple Island is a small rocky island, or skerry, that is one of the Outer Group of the Farne Islands in Northumberland, England. The Farne Islands are...

Northumberland Coast

The Northumberland Coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covering 40 miles (64 km) of coastline from Berwick-Upon-Tweed to the...

Bamburgh Dunes

Bamburgh Dunes are a region of coastal sand dunes with an area of over 40 hectares situated around the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland, England....

Forfarshire (ship)

Forfarshire was a paddle steamer with brigantine rigging, built in Dundee in 1834, and which struck and later foundered on one of the Farne Islands on...

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is a castle on the northeast coast of England, by the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland. It is a Grade I listed building.The site was...

Seahouses

Seahouses is a large village on the North Northumberland coast in England. It is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Alnwick, within the Northumberland...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.615591,-1.6530614
The Kettle
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 55.619109/-1.6530132
Toilets
Fee: no
Operator: National Trust
Lat/Long: 55.6169582/-1.6558268
Wreck of trawler "Children's Friend"
Historic: ruins
Lat/Long: 55.6166491/-1.6474393
Wideopen Gut
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 55.6166494/-1.6514263
Seamark Type: anchorage
Lat/Long: 55.6189722/-1.65475
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Black Rock?

Leave your review of Black Rock below (or comments, questions and feedback).